Since we can’t hang out with our Harwood Studio Artists in person right now, we asked them to share a little bit about their art practice and how things have changed for them since the stay-at-home order went into effect. Here is our interview with Adrian Pijoan. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Documentation of recent exhibition on Silicon Valet
How has Covid-19 challenged or changed your art practice?
AP: Before Covid-19 I was working on a series of images and videos imagining an interdimensional utopian world where humans, extraterrestrials, and Bigfoot live in harmony. Covid-19 has made me double down on imagining a better world. During bad times I feel like the best thing I can do with my art is imagine better times, both for others and for myself.
I mostly work with video and have been shooting video in all kinds of environments for years now. Before moving into the Harwood I was either working in my garage, outside, or in a small spare bedroom. During lockdown I’ve returned to my old ways. It’s not as comfortable, and comes with challenges, but I always try to keep my art practice flexible.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
AP: Before COVID-19 I really enjoyed going to thrift stores and used book stores looking for books and pamphlets about UFOs, Bigfoot, astral projection, ghosts, energy vortexes, alchemy, crystals, magic, telepathic communication with dolphins… anything weird or occult. I have a huge collection of these books and am always finding new inspiration in reading about other people’s experiences with the unknown.
When I was a kid I used to watch Ed Wood movies with my mom. I’ve always been influenced by outsider media.
What is your process when starting a new project or piece?
AP: I start with something that I’ve recently been interested in. For example my cousin recently gifted me his large collection of books about the face on Mars, so that became the starting point for my most recent exhibition. Then I do a ton of sketching and writing about that topic and other related topics. This process looks like one of those conspiracy theory charts with a thousand arrows pointing from one topic to another and scribbled notes everywhere.
Eventually those notes and sketches become a script and storyboard. I originally developed this workflow for shooting video but recently I’ve started using the same process for creating still images.
What are you working on right now?
AP: I just finished an online exhibition with Silicon Valet, an Instagram based exhibition platform. We had actually planned the show way before COVID-19 but it ended up being perfectly timed The piece consisted of nine episodic videos that form a grid when displayed on instagram. It’s still on view, though not necessarily in grid form. We’re currently working on a way to permanently display it outside of Instagram.
I’m also working on a new collaboration with Albuquerque based rapper and producer huy. We previously collaborated on a son and video about UFO disclosure called The Truth and we’re cooking up something new that I’m really excited to share, but I can’t say anything about it yet.
I’m also working on finding ways to continue making videos while working in the spare room in my house.
What are you currently interested in?
AP: Aliens, A the paranormal as a form of contemporary mythology, astral projection, whether the weird side of the internet can survive Big Tech censorship, the face on Mars.
What memorable response(s) have you had to your work?
AP: Someone recognized me in a coffee shop and said “aren’t you the guy who makes that weird alien stuff?” Probably my favorite compliment I’ve ever gotten.
What is your dream project? If there were no restrictions on time or money, what would you create?
AP: My dream is to make a feature length film. Right now all of my videos are no budget DIY productions that I write, light, make costumes for, act in, film, direct, edit, and promote. Sometimes I’ll get a friend to help film or to act. If I had a budget I’d hire actors, and a film crew. I love the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the few times I’ve been able to participate in it it has been a dream.
How can people learn more, support, and or purchase your work?
AP: A lot of my work right now revolves around making videos with my collaborator Dr. Howard. He is a paranormal investigator and veterinarian and we work together on a YouTube show called Alien Hour.
You can support me by checking out my videos on Youtube >> and by following my Instagram @alienhour
You can also see my other work on my personal website and Instagram adrianpijoan.net and @adrianpijoan
The Truth, music video, 2019
About Adrian Pijoan:
Adrian Pijoan transmits his work from somewhere out in the desert of the American Southwest. Sightings of Adrian have been reported at UFO festivals, Bigfoot research conferences, and in the dark recesses of the comments sections of low view count YouTube videos. Through his work Adrian explores the mythological landscapes of both real world and digital places, with a focus on the paranormal as contemporary folklore.
Adrian’s work has been shown at Daniela Elbahara in Mexico City, Mexico; The Sanitary Tortilla Factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Wayfarers Gallery in Brooklyn, New York; The University of New Mexico Art Museum; SITE Santa Fe; CCA Santa Fe; Szara Kamienica Gallery in Krakow, Poland; Tokio Galeria in Lima, Peru; Bikini Wax Gallery in Mexico City, Mexico; as part of the International Symposium of Electronic Arts in Vancouver, Canada; and in other traditional and nontraditional spaces.
Adrian was born on Halloween in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Poster for Encuentro Extraterrestre, a performance at the Espacio Escultórico UNAM in Mexico City, Mexico, 2019
Encuentro Extraterrestre, performance, Espacio Escultórico UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
Take Me, neon signs, LED signs, interactive phone number, installed at the KiMo Theatre, 2019
Entertaining Extraterrestrial Guests
Bigfoot Christmas